Workers of Raj Thackeray’s Maharashtra Navnirman Sena beat up a theatre manager in Pune, alleging that food items were being sold at exorbitant prices in the multiplex despite a Bombay High Court order. The incident took place on Thursday afternoon at PVR Icon multiplex at Senapati Bapat road, DNA reported.
Senior Police Inspector Dayanand Dhome said that a case has been registered against party leader Kishor Shinde and other workers. The police action came after a video of the incident showed Maharashtra Navnirman Sena workers slapping and abusing the manager.
“Popcorn worth Rs 5 is being sold at Rs 250,” party leader Shinde said, according to ANI. “The Bombay High Court has already said a reduction in price is needed. We told manager to read news reports, but he said he cannot read Marathi. Then we dealt with him ‘MNS style’.”
“When we asked him for an explanation for the high pricing, instead of giving the explanation, he said, those who can purchase food items should visit the multiplex,” Shinde told DNA. “Our party workers got annoyed with his arrogant answer and some of them slapped him.” The Maharashtra Navnirman Sena leader said party workers would visit all multiplexes in Pune and submit a memorandum to the managements asking them to reduce the prices of food being sold in their outlets.
On Wednesday, the Bombay High Court asked the Maharashtra government why it could not regulate prices of food items at multiplexes, PTI reported. “The prices of food and beverages sold in multiplexes are exorbitant,” the court had said. “Sometimes, some food articles there are more expensive than even the movie tickets.”
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